iPhone 17 Pro Max: some (very early) initial impression

Apple released 2025 of its iPhone today. I can order on the face of the iPhone 17 Pro Max, and have spent the last few hours set it. While the sales point of the iPhone 17 Pro Max is an increase in battery life (something that is clear I can’t test), I found myself surprised and impressed in other ways.

This year, Apple redesigned Pro iPhone. The cellphone frame is made of a piece of aluminum, giving an extraordinary cohesive phone phone on hand. While the thermal conductivity is likely to be the reason Apple returns to aluminum, I feel very fond of unibody design. Compared to the iPhone 16 Pro Max – where there is a real difference in the material between the titanium frame and the back of the device – the iPhone 17 Pro Max has a much more integrated and elegant feel.

Another major design change for the iPhone 17 Pro and Pro Max is what is called Apple ‘Plateau’. The highlands are a rectangular area that is slightly extending from the iPhone’s face back and holds the camera, A19 Pro processor, and other components. Where these components used to be, Apple had included a larger battery. Think about ‘camera lumps’ but more elegant. The highlands extend in almost the entire width of the device and long enough to feel like the design element – more than a solution to a problem.

Performance, in one word, ‘Zippy’. Derived from the iPhone 16 Pro Max, which naturally runs iOS 26 quite well, I wonder if the iPhone 17 Pro Max will really be felt That much faster. The answer is ‘yes’ that is brilliant. Even just navigating the setting screen, the voices feel more responsive to my touch movements. Whether the increase in response is thanks to the A19 Pro processor, 12GB of RAM push, or a few of the two, the end result is the iPhone 17 Pro Max is the most responsive iPhone I have ever used.

Although I only have a very limited time with devices so far, my initial impression is that the speaker on the sound of the iPhone 17 Pro Max feels better than the one on the iPhone 16 Pro Max; with more bass and high end across the volume level range. This is likely to be good news for many people, because the speakers on the iPhone 16 Pro Max leave many things they want. One last note about the speaker for now: The lower speaker is now on the left of the device, while on the latest model on the right.

Other things will require more testing. I tried to take a selfie with the main stage camera facing forward, but it was not clear to me as a blind user if the center of attention was involved and working well. I have not been able to test the main stage with facetime but hope to do it for a complete review. Speaking of calls, the first call and one -my only so far on the iPhone 17 Pro Max is not the best, with some dropping out of school for a moment. I don’t know about what it is – how I hold the phone on my shoulder at that time, something with my verizon service, or just a coincidence.

As for the very important battery life? We will see. I have high hopes.

Watch this room …